How to build relationships with homeworkers
With working from home full or part time getting more and more popular, it is important to encourage relationship building between staff that are working on the same projects and activities but who do not see each other. When employees are working at home or remotely, they do not have the same interaction that employees that work on adjacent desks or within offices will get. There is less socialising on different levels as well. So, with that in mind, here are some tips to encourage better relationships with those out of the office….
1. Say hello
When starting a conference call or meeting, always greet each other and ask how their holiday or weekend or week was. Have a short catch up conversation to get to know each other that little bit more.
2. Create a profile
On your Skype or similar package that you use to communicate, create a profile with a picture and change your daily status so people know how you are feeling and what you look like. For the homeworker, it creates a sense that they are there and that they are real.
3. Times
The homeworker must ensure that all colleagues are aware of their working hours and when they are available. It is important to maintain a healthy work-life balance and colleagues need to know when they are working and when they are not. If everyone is aware of the working hours, then the homeworker can maintain a healthy balance and not be disturbed outside of working hours.
4. Video
If your company are not already, use a video conference package like Skype, Google Hangout, Lync, then suggest it as it is important to physically see others that you are working with and talking to. You get to know them better by seeing what they look like.
5. Birthdays
Make sure that everyone’s birthdays are clearly available so colleagues can say happy birthday to each other.
6. Regular communication
Make sure that you catch up at least once per day and more if needed. It is important to maintain verbal communication regularly as each encounter brings people that little bit closer. Forming and building relationships with those working at home is harder and does require a bit more time and effort but there are definitely steps to make them better. It will take time, so be patient but stick with it.
